Category Helicopters

produced the Lynx, together with the Puma and Gazelle, under the Anglo-French helicopter agreement of 1967. The first of 13 prototypes flew in March 1971, and subsequent production includes both army and navy versions. Unlike its naval counterpart, the Army Lynx has not attracted export orders, but it has beon developed into the British Army’s main battlefield helicopter.

A Humanitarian Lynx

Britain’s army, hko many European forces, has dedicated a number of aircraft to United Nations’ support missions.

▼ Looking tor exports

Lynx 3 was a bold attempt by Westland to wm export orders and was marketed soveral times.

A TOW attack

Using natural cover as its only defence, a Lynx AH. Mk t unleashes a TOW missile at an unsuspecting tank. The missile’s guide wires can lust bo soon at the mouth of the launch tube

FACTS AND FIGURES

> Westland planned to build 16 WG.13 prototypes because It considered the programme so technically demanding.

> Modified Scout holicoptors were used to test the Lynx’s main rotor system.

> An Army Lynx was rolled out publicly for the first time at Farnborough In 1972.

► During 1977 the Army Air Corps recoivod its first production Lynx; the aircraft bccamo operational in 1978.

Hie final Army Ліг Corps version was die – ARM к 9, which has w heels instead of skids and <UIfusers to reduce 1 Ik* mfr. i-пчі signature of tlie exltaust. Ii serves with tin – two sqtiadnMVs formed to мі{цх»п the rapid intervention 2nit Armoured Brigade*.

< )ne-o4l experimental anti trials versions of the Army l. vnx include a lly-lty wire conversion Of an ЛІІ. Мк 7 and a single ЛН. Мк 5X wnli (iem il engines

Above: Currently, the Lynx AH. Mk 9 has no TOW compatibility. II funding permits this could bo added later, but the capability seems irrelevant following tho recent purchase of the AAC Apache.

A few other Al l Mk 5s were built, and although most were completed as All Mk “s. one of the tk*vclo|>ment aircraft was useil for mglil-llying trials using a helmet-mounted display*.

ACTION DATA

Up to nne sorters court be свгтіЕгі n the mart r-.tr, m of Р» AH Mk і. or ax with fK combat equprnent A common transport rrtsson lor the Lynx « the forward movement and швелоп of Men-anred anti tank teams

Westland rttrpduced a sernmgirl mam rotor noad on the Lyrw lbs system vwb tar less nuky and cornpiex than pie-nous systems. arvl it improved pe-frymance and handing ugnifcancy

British Aerospace, under bconco from Hughes, bud the Lynx tool’thou-rite! it. Лм-я ігшчбкі

mnyrmolnp to

The i’ll Mk 1 featured a counter-clockwise-rourng lid rotor On Iho u|>;y, tiled AH. Mk 7 it has been replaced by a more powerful ckxkwr&e >otiitng unit medo from compoetn malntia». when gives hotter control n the hover

ritain’s Koval Navy Ixiught a total of І52 Mk l. 2, 5 and 6 Sea Kings, most < >1 them as anti-submarine aircraft. Ten of the helicopters have lx*en іжхІіГк-d with side-iiu muted radomes to :ict ;ls alilvmie early-warning (AIAV) aircraft, a lonvcnsion which was inmxluced as a icsult of experience gainetl dnnng the Falkland*. War The RAF usc-s tlte Mk 5 lor аіг-sca rescue, and inoa – than HO Sea Kings have Ixvn

Sea King Mk 48

Belgium received five Soa Kings which were roughly equivalent to German ond Norwegian SAR specialised aircraft.

Above: The pnmary role of Royal Navy Sea Kings is ASW. However, some HAS. Mk 5s have been converted to SAR HAR. Mk 5s by the removal of anti-submarine equipment.

entered service, with current aircraft compatible with a range ot imxlem weapons, including the Sea liagk* anti-ship missile.

Sikorsky S-61 Sea King, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines replacing the original General Electric T58s, is built under licence by Westland. The first Westland-built aircraft flow in May 1969. Since then, the helicopter has been produced in several variants for a variety of roles. Typical anti-submarine equipment includes radar, dipping sonar and torpedoes. Sea Kings are also used in SAR and anti-shipping roles.

A Airborne early warning

The lack of AEW meant that Royal Navy warships were vulnerable to air attack In the Falklands. Ton Sea Kmg HAS. Mk 2s were converted to AEW. Mk 2 standard, but they wore too late for the war.

A Anti-submarine SAR

When ships wore hit during the Falklands conflict every available helicopter flow rescue missions.

Advanced Sea King ►

In this developed form the Sea King is a formidable weapon, especially when armed with the lethal Sea Eagle missilo.

A RAF rescue

RAF search-and-rescue units fly the Sea King HAR. Mk 3. which was specially built for the role. An even more advanced HAR. Mk ЗА has entered service despite problems with the auto-hover system.

FACTS AND FIGURES

► Westland had to fight oft stiff competition from the Sikorsky Sea King to gain Royal Navy orders.

► Rolls-Royce based its Gnome turboshaft on the T58 of the Sikorsky holicopter.

► Sea King AEW. Mk 2s are known to thoir crows as ‘bags*.

► Only the airframe shape and rotorhead of the Sikorsky Sea King remained unchanged.

► British ASW and assault Sea Kings served during the Gulf War.

► Searchwater radar used by the AEW. Mk 2 Is similar to that fittod to RAF Nimrods.

Westland’s Scout was a versatile and reliable helicopter which was retired from the British Army in 1994. Serving in the anti-armour and scout helicopter role, it was similar to the naval Wasp. Despite boing a rather limited machine built using old technology, the Scout was very popular. During the Falklands War, Scouts rescued injured soldiers while under fire, and fired wire – guided missiles at enemy strongpoints.

▼ Wet feet

During the Falklands War a Scout suffered a main gearbox failure while hovenng over a lake to avoid Argentine fighters. The pilot had to ditch the helicopter.

A Rocket launcher

A Scout gunner was required to stoer the SS. 11 missile to its target through thin command wires. The SS. 11 was a powerful weapon, but the wires often snagged and broke in flight.

▼ Bucket balancing

It was a test of skill to fly tho Scout well, but the Army Air Corps finest pilots could carry a bucket through a scries of posts as part of the Bntish Helicopter Championships.

FACTS AND FIGURES

► A Scout pilot won tho Distinguished Flying Cross In tho Falklands for flying under fire to rescue a severely injured soldier.

► Total production of the Westland Scout numbered 150 aircraft.

► King Hussein of Jordan had a Scout for his own personal use.

► The Empire Test Pilot School at Boscombo Down flew a Scout in their ■raspberry ripple’ colour scheme.

► Two Scouts wore operated from survey ships by the Royal Australian Navy.

► A Scout still flies with the British Army’s historic flight at Middlo Wallop.

Scout AH. Mk 1

Below: Formations of Scouts over the Bntish Army’s training area on Salisbury Plain were a common sight when the craft was based at the camp af Middle Wallop.

Saunders-Roe’s P.531 not only evolved into the excellent Scout but also the redoubtable Wasp anti-submarine helicopter. Still in service with minor navies, the Wasp has proved to be adaptable to many roles including sub-hunting, rescue, fire bombing and even crop-dusting.

Armed with missiles or torpedoes, the Wasp was a familiar sight on the decks of Royal Navy frigates and destroyers until the mid-1980s.

▼ Projecting power

Dunng the 1960s tho Royal Navy was tasked with protecting British interests around the globe. The Wasp could be seen from Norway to tho Antarctic.

A Fleet defender

The primary job of tho Wasp was to protect British shipping from attack by submarine. By 1968 21 frigates were oporatmg Small Ship Wasp Flights.

Stung by the ► Wasp

For anti-submarine missions tho Wasp carried Луо Mk – M torpedoes. For surface targets these were replaced by the AS. 12 missile, as seen hero.

◄ Up and away

Flying from a small Wiped on a rolling ship is hazardous, and pilots wore aided by deck crow with flags.

To the rescue ►

In tho medovac and rescue role tho Wasp can winch help to casualties or pick up stretchers.

FACTS AND FIGURES

► Wasp dellvories began in 1963 after more than 200 test deck landings had been completed.

Wasps were ordered by the navies of Brazil, South Africa, Now Zealand and the Netherlands.

► The Royal Navy received a total of 98 Wasps; tho last was rotirod in 1988.

► The second crewman acted as navigator, gunner, missile oporator and winchman.

► Nine ships operated Wasps during the Falklands War of 1982.

► Wasps flow in support of British expeditions in Antarctica.

During.1 long and

distinguished career in the Royal N’.ivy, Wasps server! around the world from the decks ol warships.

Developed from the Saro Iі.531. which first flew in 1958. tlu* Wasp was a lightweight and adaptable anti-surface vessel and anti-submarine helicopter To counter the threat of enemy MihnuriiH-s the Wasp cuuhl lx – airborne within seconds, and with the an! ol its niotlier ship s sonar it cnukl attack with lurpcdoc* oi depth charges.

The IriSi ralklands War saw the Wasp operating in anger. Flying from survey ships, patrol ships, warships and hospital ships, as well as merchant vessels, Task Force Wasps completed “27 sorties, making 3.333 deck landings on tasks such a% gunnery spotting, casualty evacuation and armed escort In the most famous Wasp action aircraft from Plymouth and Contembr Bezant attacked the Argentine submarine Santo Pc. and were iiismiment. il in its destruction

Above: The Netherlands navy was tho second largest export operator and flew ship-based АН – 12A Wasps until 1983.

Although finally retired from Royal Navy service in the late-1980s, the Wasp, despite its antiquated equipment and appearance, continues to provide valuable service for the navies of New /calami, Indonesia and Malaysia

It was inlenticd to have a traditional piston engine, but Westland introduced the gas turbine Gazelle engine which enhanced both |x*rformance and economy

Tlte I if sj Wessex was the anti-subinarine IIAS. Mk 1, which was fitted with advanced equipment, including dipping sonar and radar The Royal Navy’s Wessex Hl’.Mk Ss, flying in the tactical airlift role for the support of the Royal Marines.

Sikorsky S-55s, with Pratt & Whitney Wasp or Wright Cyclone piston engines. Westland soon replaced the US engines with the more powerful Alvis Leonides Major, a two-row radial which gave improved performance. Then, in 1958, Westland decided to build a version using the Gnome, a licence-built version of the General Electric T58 turboshaft. The result was a much more capable machine.

Popular in export markets ►

This WS-55 Senes 3 was among a number of Whirlwinds oxported to both civil and military users. Ghana’s air force was among military customers who also included Austna. Canada. France. Jordan. Spam and Yugoslavia.

shaped extensor cum, mg the tof rotor oyton. A tnsnguar tin **kJ the з!«р between the two

To accommodate its turbre engine, the tusatogn was lengthened by 78.2 cm Tlw gtsrto* and

transmission nsmnxxxJ inowignd.

XR488 was the first of two Mk 12s delivered tothe Queen’s Flight In earty 1964. Although thesocond aircraft was destroyed In a fatalaccident. ’486 continued to transport RoyalFamily members until replaced by the Wessex.

Wr-.it who HCC Mk 12s went a specialty llir rehod and «(upped variant ol the *WR to scorch tvto rescua type used fry the RAF from 106? until 1078

solidly in every task a holicoptor can undertake. The popular British-built version of the Sikorsky S-58 entored service in 1961 and since then has appeared on ship decks, on battlefields and In many countries and climntes. With its stalky fuselage and jutting nose, the turbine – powered Wessex is easy to recognise. This ageing machine remains in operation as a tactical support holicoptor.

▲ Australian Wessex

The Royal Australian Navy usod the Wessex in the anti-submarine role. This ono has the radar removed, but the fairing remains m place.

22 rescue you ►

Serving in tho search – and-rescue role with No. 22 and No. 202 Squadrons, the Wessex has rescued hundreds around tho British coastline.

▲ RAF support role

In support of the army, the RAF still uses the Wessex in tho tactical support rolo. it will bo replaced by tho EH. 101 Merlin in 1998.

◄ Navy gunship

One In four Wessex HU Mk 5s was configured as a gunship with rocket pods and missilos.

ing Commander K. H. Wallis is the most famous name in post-war autogyro design. After his distinguished career in the RAF. his first machine took to the air in 1961. Since then his revolutionary designs have broken almost ovory autogyro world record. Trials were also carried out on a military reconnaissance version, but the aircraft which achieved the greatest fame was ‘Little Nellie’ in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

Wallis Autogyros

Record breaker ►

Seen with its designer and pilot Ken Wallis, this WA-116JF broke an impressivo nine world records.

▲ Army evaluation

The Beagle company holpcd produce early WA-1Г6s. three of which were evaluated by the British Army.

First to fly ►

After Wallis started design work in 1958. tho first WA-116 was constructed by Beagle and flew in 1961. It had a 54-A W (72-bp.) McCulloch engine.

▼ Hand control

To keep tho rotor blades steady when taxiing, the pilot can reach above his head to control them.

▲ ‘Little Nellie’

For its starring role. ‘Little Nellie’ was armed with dummy air-to-air missiles. 44-mm rockets, rearward-firing ‘flame-throwers’ and two machine-guns.

FACTS AND FIGURES

► As well os tho Bond movie, о Wallis design also appeared in and was used as a camera ship in The Martian Chronicles.

>■ A version built In conjunction with Vinton was designed for aerial photography.

■ THUNDERBALL: In lire dramatic oporung sequence of this film. James Bond fights and kills a SPECTRE secret agent at a chotoau m France. Bond then makes his oscapo using mounted yet pack which onutfes him to fly over the castle’s walla. A modified version of the let pack was used during the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympic Games.

To a pilot downed deep behind enemy linos, the lumbering shape of the MH-53J Pave Low III is a welcome sight. This roscue helicopter was developed following experiences in Vietnam and played a vital role in the Gulf War, ranging into enemy territory and snatching aircrews from the hans of the Iraqis. The Pave Low is also usod by the US Special Forces, but how they deploy the helicopter remains secret.

A Missile defense

Sophisticated jamming devices are located on either side of the MH-S3J. Those prevent any SAMs from locking on and destroying the helicopter.

A Sting in the tail

The rear-loadmg ramp is retained from earlier models. For combat rescue operations, a rearwards-fmng machine gun is mounted on the ramp, allowing the helicopter’s crew to cover their exit from a landing zone.

FACTS AND FIGURES

► The Pave Low is equipped with a multi – mode radar for terrain-following and FLR for night operations.

>• Titanium armor plating is used to protect the engines and fuel tanks.

► Pave Low is the largest and most powerful helicopter used by tho USAF.

► Special Operations Forces who uso the Pave Low includo tho SEALS, tho Delta Forco and US Army Rangers.

► Pave Lows were used on the very first mission of the Gulf War.

► If funding is available, the V-22 Osprey will replace the Pave Low In service.

Down in Iraq

2 ALONE IN THE DESERT:

Gechng from the Tomcat, the RfO was quickly captured, whie the pifol managed to escape and hide. Prior to the rescue, A-10s strafed on advancing Iraqi army lorry

Worldwide* attention was focused on the US Marine CH-53E when helicopters from the assault ship Koarsarge landed a TRAP (Tactical Recovery of Aircrew Personnel) team to rescue an American pilot in Bosnia in 1995. Second-generation Sikorsky S-80s differ from the earlier S-65s in having three engines, expanded capacity and improved performance. They undertake heavy-lifting, roscue and minesweoping duties.

▼ US Navy CH-53ES

The Navy’s interest m tho Sea Stallion was as a supply helicopter tor use between shore bases and naval vossels. Three Navy squadrons operate the CH-S3E.

◄ Minehunter

A cable with a tension of up to 13 tonnes is used to tow a hydrofoil sled, which skims through tho water socking out mines.

This device hs too largo to bo stowed aboard tho helicopter.

▼ Refuelling in the air

An important teaturo of many H-53ES is their ability to refuel in tho air. greatly enhancing their flexibility. The US Marine Corps use КС-130 Hercules aircraft tor the air-to-air tanker role.

FACTS AND

>■ Overall production of tho US Marino Сотру and Navy Supor Stallions Is projoctod to reach 177 aircraft, MH-53Es about 50.

► The first S-80/CH-53E was a tost aircraft and mndo Its first flight on 1 March 1074.

> Tho H-53 family contains tho most poworlul helicopters used by US forces.

FIGURES

► The first MH-53E mlncsweopor. which flow In 1983, was not fitted with large sponsons; deliveries began In 1986.

► The first prototypo of this senes was tragically lost in и ground mishap.